Idaho Family Leaving State After Transgender Bathroom Ban

Devitt family cites 'abusive relationship' with Idaho over wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:34pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of blue, purple, and pink depicting the silhouette of a person walking through a doorway, conceptually representing the difficult decision of a family to leave their home due to discriminatory legislation.The Devitt family's painful choice to flee Idaho highlights the human toll of the state's escalating anti-LGBTQ+ policies.Driggs Today

The Devitt family, including a transgender daughter, is leaving Idaho after the state passed a criminal transgender bathroom ban that they say is the 'most extreme in the nation.' The family says they can no longer feel safe or welcome in the state after years of anti-LGBTQ+ bills targeting transgender people.

Why it matters

The Devitt family's decision to leave Idaho highlights the growing tensions and impacts of the state's aggressive legislative agenda against transgender rights. This case illustrates how these laws can drive out families, businesses, and LGBTQ+ individuals from communities, with broader implications for Idaho's economy and reputation.

The details

The criminal transgender bathroom ban, which takes effect July 1, makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison for transgender people to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity, even in private businesses. A second offense within five years is a felony with up to five years in prison. The law is considered the most extreme of its kind in the U.S. The Devitts also cited another new law requiring teachers and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents, which they say risks exposing some trans youth to abuse.

  • The transgender bathroom ban takes effect on July 1, 2026.
  • The law requiring teachers and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents also takes effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Michael Devitt

A medical professional who is shutting down his physical therapy practice to move his family out of Idaho due to the state's wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

Dr. Angie Devitt

The president of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians and the mother of the Devitt family's transgender daughter, who has testified against anti-transgender bills in the state legislature.

Eve Devitt

The Devitt family's 20-year-old transgender daughter who attends college in New York City.

Rep. Bruce Skaug

A Republican state legislator who has sponsored several anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including the law requiring teachers and doctors to out transgender minors to their parents.

Nikson Mathews

A transgender man who serves as the chair of the Idaho Democratic Queer Caucus and was among protesters arrested for trespassing after a sit-in over anti-trans bills.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, this law is a disaster for families like ours. We can no longer take a road trip across our beloved state, or even enjoy a family night out at a restaurant, or a movie, without running the risk of Eve being charged and sent to a prison merely for using the facilities.”

— Michael Devitt, Medical professional

“Every single day when I'm out in public, I have to decide: Do I feel like going to jail today, or do I feel like being attacked?”

— Nikson Mathews, Transgender activist

“I don't know what that situation could possibly be. If Billy wants to be Sally, that's a pretty serious mental health issue that any parent should know about, first and foremost. So I don't know of a situation where that has actually occurred, where there's an abusive parent that is going to harm their child because they want to change their sex.”

— Rep. Bruce Skaug, Republican state legislator

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.